Texas Wesleyan Encourages Rating Roommates In A New App

Many universities use roommate-matching surveys, but those don't always prevent a bad roommate experience.

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Five stories that have North Texas talking: there’s an app for dealing with bad college roommates, Bitcoin gains some traction in Texas, the Transportation Security Administration confiscates the most firearms from DFW International Airport, and more.

A bad roommate is almost like college rite-of-passage, but Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth is using an app designed to prevent roommate conflicts, theStar-Telegram reports. The app is called Roompact, which allows students to rate their roomies by texting or emailing resident assistants through a secure portal. Students can create their own roommate agreements and follow through with mini-surveys, which resident assistants can see. They can then use this information to resolve conflicts before they escalate. No more passive-aggressive sticky notes on the door.

The Transportation Safety Administration confiscates dozens of firearms from travelers’ carry-on luggage each week. This year, the TSA has confiscated more than 1,000 guns so far. The Wall Street Journal has compiled a list of U.S. airports with the most gun confiscations. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport tied with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for the no. 1 spot, with 46 confiscations each this year. Dallas Love Field came in at no. 6. Two other Texas airports made the list as well. Travelers are permitted to fly with firearms only if they are unloaded, declared, and checked as baggage in locked, hard-sided containers. If an officer finds a firearm in your carry-on, expect a citation with a fine of up to $7,500 or arrest. Here’s the TSA’s detailed policy on firearms.

Texas is a big user of the virtual currency called Bitcoin, according this month’s issue of Texas Monthly. It’s not as popular as say, the dollar, but it has been gaining traction. The state’s hands-off regulatory policy may be one reason, as well its ability to exchange funds easily. However, the virtual currency isn’t immune to theft, and it can be vulnerable to dramatic spikes and drops in value. Pablo Peña reported on Bitcoin’s growing community of users in North Texas.

Once upon a time, Dallas rocked – really rocked. Before Austin became the state’s music capitol, that distinction belonged to Dallas in the 1950s to 1970s. That period will be the focus in a documentary airing tonight on KERA-TV, called When Dallas Rocked. Dallas’ former musical glory days have been the subject matter for several books and commentaries. David Okamoto wrote a commentary on the film when it first aired as a work-in-progress at the Oak Cliff Film Festival in 2012. Alan Govenar, the co-author of Dallas Music Scene: 1920s to 1960s, was on Think last month to talk about music in Deep Ellum. Catch the documentary tonight at 8 on KERA-TV. Watch the trailer:

Fort Worth is devoting more money to public art, but exactly how the money will be used is still up for discussion.KERA’s Jerome Weeks reports on the projects planned, including new artwork for the Chisholm Trail Park and some freeway overpasses.

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